Page 74 (1/2)

Ava kissed his cheek “Take care of yourself, Taz”

They were sitting in a diner outside Alliance, picking at a meal neither wanted

“Chase?”

“Yeah”

“What happens now?”

“I don’t know” He glanced up fro a pile of peas with his fork “Why? Did you have so on your mind?”

“Yes And hear ”

“Come to New York City with me Just for a couple of days We both could use a break A little bit of pa I’ve spent time in your world, Chase, I’d like for you to spend time in mine”

“Why New York? Why not LA?”

“My assistantaround my place We’d be trapped In New York…we’d probably be anonymous” She reached for his hand “Let’s park your truck in Oet on a plane and we’ll be at LaGuardia in three hours My fa suite at the Cooper Square Hotel We can stay there as long as ant”

His eyes searched hers “Why is this so ioodbye Are you?”

“God no”

His veheements We could use a distraction It’ll be fun”

Chase so”

Chapter Twenty-Four

“Ladies and gentlemen, welcolanced out the airplaneas the flight attendant rattled off the usual spiel She was anxious to get out of the plane and into the city

Chase leaned across the arht?”

Ava faced him and frowned “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I dunno I expect you’ll be different now that the city mouse is back in her element”

“What about you?” she countered “Will you become the country mouse? Afraid of taxis, sirens and the crush of people?”

“I ain’t skeered of nothin’” Chase pressed his lips to hers She’d expected a quick peck, but he cranked the kiss to hot and teasing as his thumb discreetly rubbed the stiff point of her nipple

She pulled back “Chase—”

“Iyou the last few days,” he murmured

“I missed it too” Ava rested her forehead to his “Hold that thought, okay?”